A&M-CC grads drives Weinermobile

Selena Armendarez, a spokesperson for Oscar Mayer Wiener and recent graduate of Texas A&M Corpus Christi, carries prizes from the Wienermobile to give to kids at the HEB on Weber Road, Monday.

CORPUS CHRISTI - When Selena Armendarez graduated from college, Oscar Mayer & Co. gave her a new job and a new name — "S-Weena."

The 21-year-old Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi graduate was chosen out of 1,200 applicants to be one of 14 Oscar Mayer spokespeople, or "hotdoggers," who travel the country in the company's hot dog-shaped Wienermobile for a year spreading "miles of smiles," and a healthy dose of publicity. The first Wienermobile hit the streets of Chicago in 1936.

On June 15, Armendarez and fellow hotdogger, Molly "Mustard" Fergus, 22 of Missouri, hit the road in the 27-foot long, 11-foot tall Wienermobile, kicking off their cross-country tour in the Rio Grande Valley.

"We just got back from the valley, so we're getting used to the heat," Armendarez said while at H-E-B at 5801 Weber Road in Corpus Christi on Monday. "Sunscreen is our best friend."

Hotdoggers will make stops at events and promotions — passing out coupons and freebies, taking pictures of people posing in weenie cut-outs, teaching onlookers the famous Oscar Mayer jingle and playing weenie-inspired games with kids.

"We can turn something as simple as going to the grocery store into an event," Armendarez said.

Armendarez and Fergus take turns driving the Wienermobile, which seats six. To learn to drive the giant hot dog, the two trained for 40 hours each.

"It's awesome, the only thing that took a while to get used to was the people honking and taking pictures," Armendarez said.

While on the road, they stay in hotels.

"This isn't a weenie-bago," joked Armendarez, who said that learning weenie puns was part of the two-week training at "Hot Dog High."

After her Wienermobile gig ends in June 2009, Armendarez hopes to use her degree in communication and public relations minor to work for a non-profit organization.

The hotdogger loves the all-American treat, especially smothered with mustard and relish.

"Hot dogs remind me of Fouth of July and family and friends," she said.